Katy Perry headlines Rock in Rio Lisboa 2026 opening day with Pedro Sampaio, Alok and 100,000 fans

The 2026 edition of Rock in Rio opened on 20 June at the Parque Tejo in Lisbon, drawing a sold‑out crowd of about 100,000 people from more than 125 countries. American pop star Katy Perry headlined the pop‑focused night, performing a mix of classic hits and new material such as “Watch It Burn”. Brazilian acts Pedro Sampaio and Alok followed, delivering high‑energy sets that featured massive crowd‑participation moments, including the festival’s “cavalinho” dance that gathered thousands of participants. Other performers on the first day included Charlie Puth, Bebe Rexha, Calema, Bárbara Bandeira and the Portuguese‑Brazilian duo Barb Bandeira. The festival also highlighted a large‑scale mobility plan, with special shuttle services and extensive public‑transport links to manage the influx of fans. Subsequent days will see rock headliners Linkin Park, Sepultura, Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper, while the event’s international reach is underscored by a strong Brazilian presence and a planned continuation in Rio de Janeiro in September. The opening day set the tone for a multi‑day celebration of pop, rock and electronic music, reinforcing Lisbon’s role as a major European festival destination.